Cigar-puncturing device.



G. H. POTTER. CIGAR PUNGTURING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 29, 1913.

1,1 15,335. Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

CHARLES H. POTTER, OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

CIGAR-PUNCTURING DEVICE. l

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

Application filed November 29, 1913. Serial No. 803,798.

To allot-72 017) it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. POTTER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Haverhill, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Puncturing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cigar puncturing devices; and it has for its primary object the provision of a device of this character which will be provided with means: whereby the tip of the cigar may be punctured to furnish the desired draft when smoking and further the provision of such means which will provide for a perfect displacement of the tobacco in a direct line of draft.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wliich will be satisfactorily operated without destroying the outer wrapper of the cigar or from loosening the same from the inner wrappings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character whereby the required draft may be obtained with an elimination of the finer particles of the to bacco being brought into the mouth of the smoker.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a guiding and centering means which will yieldingly back up against the cigar during the operation of moving the tip of the cigar in the direction of the puncturing means.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device; Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the puncturing and centering head.

The device comprises a tube 1, which may be constructed of aluminum, silver, hardrubber, celluloid, paper board or any other material which may be found desirable for the purpose. The tube is open at both ends, and is preferably of a gradually restricted diameter toward its lever end. At the lower end the tube is closed by what will be herein 7 v termed a puncturing and centering head 2.

At the upper end, the walls of the tube are folded so as to provide a relatively deep annular channel 3, which opens in the direction of the restricted end of the tube.

The centering head 2, which is preferably in the form of a plug of cement, is frictionally engaged at its sides against the inner walls of the tube, and embedded in the center of the head is a relatively long puncturing spur 4. This spur extends for a considerable distance beyond the head and is exposed centrally of the tube 1 and is designed to effect a formation of a main central draft puncture or opening through the tip end of the cigar. Grouped about the main centrally-disposed puncturing pin or spur 4C are smaller spurs 5 which extend at an angle in the direction of the point of the central spur. These smallerspurs are also embedded at their inner ends in the head 2.

In order that a cigar may be properly centered during the operation of initially guiding the same in the direction of the hereinbefore described spurs, I provide a plurality of relatively weak springs 6, whose lower ends are embedded at 7 in the head 2 and as illustrated these springs are extended upwardly at 8 and they are then gradually curved upwardly and then outwardly, where their free ends are extended into the channel 3 formed at the large end of the tube. The free ends of the said springs are thus housed and protected against coming into direct contact with the cigar while through this arrangement the springs are adapted to be freely moved in the direction of the adjacent sides of the tube 1 when pressure of the cigar is brought to bear against the springs as will be understood.

In using the device the tip or month end of the cigar is first placed into the large end of the tube. Pressure of the hand is then applied to the cigar so that the latter may be advanced against the guiding and centering springs 6. In continuing the pres sure the smoking end of the cigar will be forced in a downward direction until the center pin 4 and the pins 5 are forced into the cigar. The center pin is preferably oneinch in length, while the pins 5, from prac' tice, may best be of a one-eighth inch length. The center pin punctures the cigar so that the filler is displaced enough to allow free drawing of the smoke, the pin puncturing through that portion where the inner to bacco of the cigar is usually rolled in a relatively compact mass. The angular disposition of the pins 5 relatively of the centerp-in 4t is such that the difi erent punctures formed by the pin are resultant of the desired draft. with an elimination of undue mutilation of the Wrapper. The large end of the tube has an internal diameter suilicient to permit of the free passage of the head 2 therethrough. The free ends of the springs may be re moved from the channel 3, so as to free the head and permit the latter to be removed from the tube if required for the purpose of sharpening the points of the pins.

VJhile the device herein illustrated is designed for pocket use, it is obviously seen that modifications may be made therein such as by arranging a number of the devices side by side and mounting the same upon a suit able supporting base'so that they may be used in cigar stores or other public places. From the foregoing description, taken in connection With the accompanying drawings,

the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood Without requiring a more extended explanation.

I claim 1. A cigar puncturing device comprising a tube flared throughout its length, the tube having its Walls rolled to form a channel at one end ofthe'tube which opens in the direction of the other end of the tube, a head closing the opposite end of the tube and provided With a plurality of puncturing elements of varying lengths and yieldable guiding and centering means carried by the head and having free portions extending into the channel.

2. A cigar puncturing device comprising a: tube open at one end, a head'closing the opposite end of the tube, the said tube having its Walls rolled to form a channel in its upper end opening in the direction of the closed end of the tube, puncturing elements carried by the head, and bowed springs carried by the head andhaving their free ends located Within the channel, .said springs forming centraling means for the articles to be punctured.

In testnnony vvhereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES H. POTTER.

i l/itnesses CLARENCE A. PETTENGILL, GEORGE A. KEENE.

Copies of this patent may be attained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

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